Thompson finally appointed at Essendon

10 Nov 2010, 6:29 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Mark Thompson. (File, AAP)

Mark Thompson. (File, AAP)

Two-time Geelong AFL premiership coach Mark Thompson has been appointed as the new senior assistant coach at Essendon.

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Two-time Geelong AFL premiership coach Mark Thompson has been appointed as the new senior assistant coach at Essendon.

Thompson shocked new senior coach James Hird by walking onto the field midway through Wednesday morning's training session and telling his 1993 premiership team-mate he was ready to return to the Bombers.

Thompson, whose 11-year stint at Geelong ended controversially on October 4 when he quit after complaining of burnout with one season remaining on his contract, did not appear at Wednesday's press conference at Windy Hill.

The club could not confirm when Thompson starts his new role, or what exactly it is, although it will begin some time in December.

The length of his contract was also not revealed.

Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton declined to address the issue of potential resentment from Geelong fans - that Essendon stand accused of negotiating with Thompson during the 2010 season.

Hamilton would only say the club and Hird had been in touch with Thompson for some time.

"It's a great day for Essendon Football Club. This morning Mark Thompson attended our training session with the team, met the players and confirmed with James Hird that he'd come on board to support him for the 2011 season," Hamilton said.

"Where's Bomber (Thompson)? Bomber's on extended leave and we want to honour that.

"He made a decision to leave Geelong, a painful decision.

"He made it clear in his announcement at Geelong that he would require some sort of extended break.

"That's what he's doing at the moment. We respect that.

"It was an impromptu visit at the training session today. We didn't know he was going to come and confirm his position.

"That's what Mark's all about. He went directly to the coach and the players to say he wants to take up this opportunity."

Thompson played 202 games for Essendon from 1983-96 and captained them to the 1993 premiership.

He coached the Cats for 11 years, including the premiership campaigns of 2007 and 2009.

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